Sarhad Provincial Conservation Strategy - IUCN

14
C U L T U R A L H E R I T A G E & S U S T A I N A B L E T O U R I S M
Sharif is controlled by the Federal Government. The
distribution of museum management and control
among the Federal and provincial departments has
badly affected the performance and image of these
facilities and has constrained their development.
The northern valleys of the NWFP are famous and
have a rich legacy of Gandhara, Buddhist, Hindu
Shahi, and Islamic civilizations. However, the illegal
trade and trafficking of antiques has increased during
the past years and requires the immediate attention
of the concerned departments and decision makers,
to allocate sufficient financial resources and get
assistance from donors for the maintenance, upgrading,
and extension of services in existing museums.
Funds are also required for the establishment of new
museums to preserve and protect the historic treasures
of the province.
To make the museums self-sufficient in terms of
finances, the present entrance fees should be
raised, facilities like restaurants and book shops
should be provided, trained guide services could be
made available at each museum, and national and
international publicity about existing museums and
their facilities should be improved to attract more
v i s i t o r s .
1 4 . 1 . 4
A rts & Crafts
The arts and crafts of the NWFP show a diversity in
their ingenuity, style, and variety, reflecting the lifestyle
and behaviour patterns of people living in various
parts of the province and their local cultures.
Scant attention has been paid to the promotion of art
in the province, and many cities and towns (other
than Peshawar) do not have proper facilities for musical
concerts, dramas, literary gatherings, or art exhibitions.
Also, not enough attention has been given to
understanding the role of art and culture in the promotion
and development of civil society.
The provincial department of tourism, sports, and
culture is the lead department for the promotion of
cultural arts, but its efforts are small and fragmented.
The Abasin Arts Council Peshawar has played a considerable
role in the promotion, development, and
propagation of arts in the province, but its efforts are
172 SARHAD PROVINCIAL CONSERVATION STRATEGY
limited due to its meagre financial resources. The
potential of the Sarhad Arts Council has also been
underused, and the regional art councils supported
by this group remain underfinanced.
Local radio and television management is also
trying to promote and keep local arts alive, but
their efforts are constrained by limited resources.
Many local musicians have already moved from the
province to other parts of the country as there are
very few opportunities for local performances. The
arts of the province can only be promoted and
developed if artists get more opportunities for performance
and due recognition from the public and
Government. Facilities should be provided at each
division level in the province, and more financial
resources need to be provided to the Art Councils
and to the artists community. Local radio and television
management should provide more opportunities
for local artists. The private sector needs to be
encouraged to take part in the organization of cultural
and art shows.
Handicrafts of the NWFP are in great demand
both inside and outside the country. The Small
Industrial Development Board (SIDB) of the province
has made a very valuable contribution to crafts
development and promotion; it has provided training
in different crafts, collection and display galleries,
marketing, loan facilities to artisans, and promotion
centres for various crafts in different parts of
the province. SIDB craft and art centres given in
Table 14.1.
Promotion and development of local crafts and
economic incentives for local people are needed.
Such efforts could include the establishment of artisan
villages at the district level, where common facilities
for work, display, marketing, and skills training could
be provided to encourage more people to become
involved in this profession and contribute to the economic
development of the area. Artisan villages
would not only provide facilities to the crafts-people,
but could also become tourist attractions in their own
right. Also, financial institutions and the private sector
need to introduce financing schemes for local craft
development, marketing, and extension services to
provide more opportunities to the artisan community
in the province.